At one time, there lived a family of fishermen on the coast of Sumatra. The family consists of father, mother and a son, named Malin Kundang. Due to poor financial condition of the family, the father decided to make a living in the country by wading across a vast ocean.

Then the Malin and his mother lived in their huts. A week, two weeks, one month, two months even 1 years old, Malin's father did not return to his hometown. So his mother had to replace the position of Malin's father to make a living. Malin including a smart kid but a little naughty. He often chasing chickens and hit him with a broom. One day, when Malin was chasing chickens, she tripped over a rock and hit a rock right arm injury. The wounds became trace dilengannya and can not be lost.

After growing up, Malin Kundang feel sorry for his mother who worked hard to make a living to raise themselves. He thinks to make a living in the country side in the hope of later when returning home, he had become a wealthy man. Malin interested in the invitation of a merchant ship captain who was once poor now have become a wealthy man.

Malin Kundang expressed intention to his mother. His mother does not agree with the original intent Kundang, but because Malin kept pushing, she finally agreed Kundang albeit with a heavy heart. After preparing supplies and equipment to taste, Malin immediately headed to the dock to be escorted by his mother. "My son, if you have a successful and affluent people, do not you forget about your mother and halamannu this village, son," said Mrs. Malin Kundang in tears.

Ships that climbed Malin increasingly distant, accompanied by a wave Ms. Malin Kundang. During his time on the ship, Malin Kundang a lot to learn about seamanship on the crew who are experienced. Along the way, suddenly the ship climbed Kundang attacked by pirates. All merchandise traders who were on the ship seized by pirates. Even most of the crew and people on the ship were killed by the pirates. Malin Kundang very lucky he was not killed by the pirates, because when it happened, Malin immediately hid in a small space enclosed by timber.

Malin Kundang adrift on the high seas, until finally the host ship stranded on a beach. With the rest of the existing power, Malin Kundang walked to the nearest village from the beach. Arriving in the village, Malin Kundang helped by people in the village after previously telling what happened to him. Malin village where villagers stranded is very fertile. With tenacity and perseverance in work, Malin gradually managed to become a wealthy man. He has a lot of merchant ships with men of more than 100 people. After becoming rich, Malin Kundang marry a girl to be his wife.

News Kundang who has become rich and have been married to the mother also Malin Kundang. Mother Malin Kundang feel grateful and very happy his son had succeeded. Since then, the mother Malin Kundang every day to go to the dock, waiting for his son who might return to his hometown.

After a long marriage, Malin and his wife set sail with a large and beautiful ship with the crew as well as a lot of bodyguards. Malin Kundang mother who every day waiting for his son, saw a very beautiful ship, into the harbor. He saw two people standing on the deck of a ship. He believes that it is his standing and his wife Malin Kundang.

Malin Kundang were off the ship. He was greeted by his mother. Once close enough, she saw twelve people injured dilengan right, the more convinced his mother that he was approached Malin Kundang. "Malin Kundang, my son, why did you go so long without sending the news?", She said as she hugged Kundang. But what happens then? Malin Kundang immediately release his mother's arms and pushed him to fall. "Women do not know myself, carelessly claimed as my mother," says Malin Kundang to his mother. Malin Kundang pretended not to recognize her, because of embarrassment with his elderly mother and dressed in rags. "She's your mother?", Malin Kundang wife Tanya. "No, he was just a beggar who pretended claim as my mother to get the treasure me", said Malin to his wife. Heard the statement and mistreated by her son, Malin Kundang mother very angry. He had not expected her to be rebellious child. Because of mounting anger, Malin's mother lifted her hand and said, "Oh God, if he was my son, I sumpahi he became a rock". Not long after strong winds and violent storms rumble came to destroy the ship Malin Kundang. After the body Kundang slowly becoming rigid and eventually finally shaped into a rock.